The 40 Developmental Assets

The 40 developmental assets are positive experiences and qualities that young people need to help them to make healthy decisions. Grounded in scientific research these assets aim to protect youths from high risk behaviors and help become healthy, productive, and responsible adults. Parents and others who have contact with children on a regular basis contribute and help build these assets. The assets are broken down into external and internal assets which include support, empowerment, boundaries and expectations, constructive use of time, commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, and positive identity.

The assets are divided into two major types:

• External Assets

• Support (family support, positive family communication, other adult relationships, caring neighborhood, caring school climate)

• Empowerment (community values youth, youth as resources, service to others, safety)

• Boundaries and Expectations (family boundaries, school boundaries, neighborhood boundaries, adult role models, positive peer influence, high expectations)

• Constructive Use of Time (creative activities, youth programs, religious community, time at home)

• Internal Assets

• Commitment to Learning (achievement motivation, school engagement, homework, bonding to school, and reading for pleasure)

• Positive Values (caring, equality and social justice, integrity, honesty, responsibility, restraint)

• Social Competencies (planning and decision making, interpersonal competence, cultural competence, resistance skills, peaceful conflict resolution)

• Positive Identity (personal power, self-esteem, sense of purpose, positive view of personal future)

How do Kirksville Youths Rank?

In order to assess the health and well-being of local middle and high school age youths, the survey Search Institute Profiles of Student Life: Attitudes and Behaviors was given to students at Kirkville High School (2006). Through this survey many developmental assets were assessed as above the national average and some fell short.

• Kirksville youths ranked above the national average for these developmental assets:

• Other adult relationships – receiving support from 3 or more nonparent adults

• Safety – feels safe at home, school, and in the neighborhood

• Creative Activities – spends 3+ hours per week in lessons or practice

• Kirksville youths ranked below the national average for these developmental assets

• Parent involvement in schooling – parent(s) are actively involved in helping young person succeed in school

• Restraint – believes it is important not to be sexually active or to use alcohol or other drugs

What’s Next? Moving from Awareness to Action

Since the results of this local survey have become known, greater insight has been gained about Kirksville youths. With the knowledge of which developmental assets Kirksville youths are lacking specific steps can be made to help fulfill these assets. Fortunately for our youths everyone – parents, grandparents, educators, coaches, neighbors, youths, workers, employers, health care providers and others – can help build these assets. By focusing on developmental strengths and weaknesses of the community we can begin to move forward, to help the children in our community get on the path to a brighter future!

Interested in learning more? Want to GET INVOLVED and MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the life of a child you know?

For more information about the 40 Developmental Assets and ways to help you get started, visit the Search Institute’s website at www.search-institute.org

Help a child you know get on the path to a brighter future!

All the information shown is from:

Search Institute, (2008). The power of assets. Retrieved February 9, 2009, from Search Institute: 50 Years of Discovering What Kids Need To Succeed! Web site: http://www.search-institute.org/